Christianity & Human Rights (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian teachings on human rights

What are human rights?

• Human rights are basic freedoms and protections that all people are entitled to, simply because they are human beings

• These rights are meant to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, no matter their race, religion, gender, nationality, or any other status

• Human rights apply to everyone, everywhere in the world, regardless of nationality, background, or beliefs

• They are the rights that belong to every person just because they are human

• In 1948, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  • This document outlines a set of fundamental human rights that should be protected for all people

  • The declaration includes 30 articles that cover rights such as the right to life, liberty, education, and work

• There are many different aspects to human rights that all people should be entitled to

  • Civil and political rights: These include the right to life, freedom of speech, the right to vote, and the right to a fair trial

  • Economic, social, and cultural rights: These include the right to education, healthcare, and a decent standard of living

  • Environmental rights: These rights involve having access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment

Christian teachings on human rights

• Many religions, including Christianity, support human rights because they believe in the dignity and worth of every person

  • Christians believe that all humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and thus deserve to be treated with respect and fairness

  • Christian teachings like ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31) emphasise compassion, equality, and the protection of others' rights

  • Christians believe that everyone is equal in the eyes of God

    • Galatians 3:28 says, ‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ 

    • This passage emphasises equality and challenges discrimination

    • This teaches that no one should be treated unfairly or denied basic rights because of their race, gender, or social status

  • The Bible stresses the importance of justice, particularly for the vulnerable, such as the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalised

    • Isaiah 1:17 says, ‘Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed’

    • Christians are called to stand up for justice and protect the rights of those who are less fortunate or are being mistreated

  • In Matthew (7:12) Jesus says, ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you’

    • This rule teaches Christians to treat others with the same respect and fairness that they would want for themselves, which aligns with the principles of human rights

The importance of human rights

Why are human rights important?

• Human rights ensure that people live free from oppression, discrimination, and injustice

• They protect individuals and groups from being mistreated and help promote fairness and equality

  • For example, the right to freedom of expression allows people to share their ideas and opinions without fear of punishment, which is a crucial part of living in a free and fair society

• Human rights protect freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and movement

  • These freedoms allow people to express themselves, practice their beliefs, and live without fear of persecution

  • They allow individuals to make their own choices and live life according to their beliefs and values

• Human rights ensure that people are treated justly by the government and others in power

  • They protect individuals from being unfairly punished, imprisoned, or mistreated

  • Rights like the right to a fair trial and protection from torture ensure that people are treated fairly and not abused

• Human rights help ensure that everyone has access to the same opportunities, such as education, healthcare, and work

  • This can reduce poverty, discrimination, and inequality, allowing individuals to live fulfilling lives

• Respecting human rights can help promote peace and stability in society

  • When people’s rights are protected, there is less conflict and violence, as individuals feel respected and valued

• Many religions, including Christianity, emphasise the importance of human rights because they believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person

  • For example, Christianity teaches that all humans are created in the image of God, which supports the belief that everyone deserves to have their rights protected

Divergent Christian responses to human rights

Divergent Christian responses to human rights

• Christians have different views on the importance of human rights and how they should be applied, depending on their interpretation of scripture and religious beliefs

• Many Christians, especially those from liberal traditions, strongly support the idea of human rights, believing that they are rooted in Christian teachings about the dignity and equality of all people

  • This belief comes from the Biblical teaching that humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), so everyone deserves respect and equal treatment

  • Christians believe Jesus’ teachings about love and compassion (Matthew 22:39 - "Love your neighbour as yourself") provide a foundation for supporting human rights

    • These teachings encourage Christians to care for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalised

  • Liberal Christians believe in supporting social justice, fighting against inequality, and promoting human rights through actions like campaigning for fair treatment, equality, and protection for all people

• Evangelical Christians are particularly concerned with the protection of freedom of religion and will advocate for the right to practice their faith openly and for the right of others to do the same

• Some conservative Christians may be more selective about certain human rights, especially when they conflict with traditional Christian values, such as issues around same-sex marriage and abortion

  • Conservative Christians believe that certain rights should be limited if they go against Biblical teachings or morality

  • For example, they might support laws that restrict abortion or same-sex marriage based on their interpretation of Christian doctrine

  • Conservative Christians may argue that while human rights are important, they should not be used to justify actions that go against their religious beliefs, like practices that they believe undermine the family structure or the sanctity of life

Situation ethics and human rights

• Situation ethics, developed by Joseph Fletcher in the 1960s, is an ethical theory that suggests that moral decisions should be based on the most loving thing to do in each particular situation, rather than following strict rules or laws

• When it comes to human rights, situation ethics focuses on the principle of agape (unconditional love), which is at the heart of Christian teachings, particularly in the New Testament

• The central principle of situation ethics is agape love, which means making decisions based on what is most loving for the person involved

  • This principle would lead Christians to support human rights because protecting a person's dignity and freedom is a way of showing love for them

• In a situation where human rights are being violated, agape love would demand action to protect the individual and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect

• Situation ethics rejects the idea that moral decisions should be strictly based on rules (e.g., legal or religious codes)

  • Instead, it encourages Christians to consider the context of each situation

    • For example, if a strict rule conflicts with the most loving action, a Christian following situation ethics might choose to break that rule in order to protect someone's human rights

    • For example, helping a person escape from unjust imprisonment could be considered more loving than strictly adhering to a law that might be unjust

• Situation ethics would support human rights because they reflect the love and dignity that every person deserves

  • Rights such as freedom, equality, and justice are seen as essential to living a life where people can love and be loved

    • Protecting human rights aligns with agape love, as it respects individuals' inherent worth and helps them live in a way that honors their dignity and humanity

• Situation ethics emphasises the importance of considering the context of each situation rather than applying a fixed rule

  • This means that human rights might be interpreted in different ways depending on the circumstances

    • For example, in some situations, defending someone’s human rights might involve standing up against an oppressive government, even if doing so breaks certain laws

    • The focus would be on what is most loving in that specific context

Christian responses to non-religious views on human rights

Humanist views on human rights

• Humanism is a world view that focuses on human values, reason, and the importance of individuals, without relying on religious beliefs

  • Humanists strongly support human rights, as they believe every person deserves equal treatment and dignity

  • They argue that everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or background, should have their rights protected

  • This belief is rooted in the idea that humans are capable of reason, and therefore, have the ability to make decisions that promote fairness and justice for all

  • Humanists support the idea that human rights are universal, and that they apply to all people everywhere, regardless of nationality or cultural differences

    • This idea is in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, which promotes freedom, equality, and justice for all individuals

  • Unlike religious perspectives, humanists base their belief in human rights on reason and human experience, rather than on religious teachings or divine commandments

    • They believe human rights are not granted by God, but are essential for people to live together in peace and fairness

  • Humanists believe that people should be free to live their own lives, follow their own beliefs, and pursue happiness, as long as they don’t harm others

  • Humanists advocate for individual freedom and autonomy

    • This includes freedom of expression, freedom of belief, and the right to make personal choices about one’s life

    • They also emphasise the importance of education and social progress in ensuring that people understand and exercise their human rights

  • Humanists believe that human rights are essential for achieving social justice

    • They argue that everyone should have equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities, and that societies should work to eliminate discrimination and inequality

    • They advocate for the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and marginalised communities, ensuring that their rights are upheld and respected

Christian responses to non-religious views on human rights

• Christians have different views on human rights, and some of their responses to non-religious perspectives reflect their belief in God and scripture

• While humanists and atheists may base their views on human rights on reason and human dignity, Christians often see human rights as rooted in their faith

• Christians believe that human rights are ultimately given by God. Since humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), they argue that human dignity and rights are divinely ordained

  • Christians may disagree with non-religious views that claim human rights come solely from human reason

  • They would argue that God is the ultimate source of human rights and that human dignity is not just a social agreement

• The Bible teaches that Christians should love others and seek justice, as seen in the Great Commandment to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31), and in the call to "defend the oppressed" (Isaiah 1:17)

  • For Christians, supporting human rights is a reflection of their faith and a way of showing love and compassion

  • Christians may argue that moral values like compassion, justice, and equality, which are central to human rights, are grounded in their Christian beliefs

  • They might see non-religious human rights advocates as doing good but without the moral foundation that comes from faith in God

• Many Christians believe that the Church has a responsibility to promote human rights, especially for the poor and marginalised

  • Christians might argue that faith communities offer a moral framework for understanding and promoting human rights, and they see the Church’s work in areas like helping the poor and social justice as crucial

  • They may view non-religious efforts as lacking the spiritual dimension that their faith brings to human rights work

• Christians believe that religious freedom is a key human right, as people should be free to worship God without persecution, and that this freedom is seen as a fundamental right in Christian teaching

• Christians may stress the importance of freedom of religion and argue that a society that denies religious freedoms is violating one of the most important human rights

• They might also point out that while non-religious individuals may support religious freedom, their reasons might differ because Christians believe this right comes from God's plan for humanity

• Sometimes Christians may disagree with non-religious views on certain human rights issues like abortion or same-sex marriage, arguing that human rights should be in line with Christian teachings on the sanctity of life and marriage

  • Christians may say that certain human rights, like the right to life, should be protected from the moment of conception (e.g., in the case of abortion)

  • They might disagree with non-religious people who see these rights as extending to practices that they believe go against Christian teachings about human life and relationships